Illinois Central College Educational Foundation will offer a few new scholarships to students beginning this fall, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Creve Coeur American Legion Post #1234. The post recently dissolved after more than 60 years of service to veterans and their families and chose to release the funds to nonprofits in the area, including the ICC Educational Foundation. The Foundation will use the funds to establish at least two new endowed scholarships in perpetuity.

According to Commander Les Turner, the gift is the largest amount the Creve Coeur American Legion has ever awarded to a nonprofit.

“Our members were sad to see their Post close,” Turner said. “But they are very proud that their service to the community will continue in perpetuity because of the scholarship established at ICC.”

“The Foundation is honored to be chosen to carry out the legacy of the Creve Coeur American Legion,” said ICC Educational Foundation Interim Executive Director Stephanie Holmes. “Their generosity will greatly impact ICC’s students while continuing to serve veterans, their families and our community. We are proud to partner with a group whose interests align with the College’s mission.”

Full- or part-time ICC students in any major who have a current GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible to apply for the scholarship, which may be applied to tuition, fees and books. Preference will be given to honorably discharged, wounded veterans who demonstrate need or to dependents (includes spouse and children 24 years and younger) of veterans who were wounded or killed while serving in the US military. If no applicant meets these criteria in a given semester, the award will be offered first to veterans who have been honorably discharged and secondly to the dependents (includes spouse and children 24 years and younger) of veterans who were honorably discharged.

For more information or to apply for the scholarships, contact Ellen Tabor at (309) 694-5530.

It is the policy of this college that no person, on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran's status, shall be discriminated against in employment, in educational programs and activities, or in admission. Inquiries and complaints may be addressed to the Vice President of Diversity, International, & Adult Education (Revised: February 2008).